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Production Supervisor - Forest Nursery Operations (Agricultural Technician 3)

Competition # : 49672

Department: Natural Resources

Location: STRATHLORNE

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 09-Sep-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

Nova Scotia is rich in natural resources – including biodiversity, forests, provincial parks and the land we manage. Natural Resources is responsible for the development, management, conservation and protection of forests, parks and wildlife resources and the administration of the province’s Crown land. Together we are working with Nova Scotians to build a better future through sustainable natural resource management.

About Our Opportunity

The Production Supervisor – Forest Nursery Operations is responsible for coordinating and leading nursery production and growing operations at a provincial forest nursery. Reporting to the Manager of Nursery Operations and Service Delivery, the Production Supervisor – Forest Nursery Operations provides specialized technical leadership and operational direction for tree seedling production activities and is accountable for crop quality, growing practices, and production outcomes, in accordance with established nursery objectives and standards.

Primary Accountabilities

Coordinates and leads daily nursery production and greenhouse activities, including seeding, thinning, transplanting, irrigation, fertilization, pest management, grading, storage, and shipping of seedlings, as well as maintaining and managing inventory.

Provides specialized technical leadership and supervision to the nursery growing staff by ensuring appropriate staff coverage and directing their day-to-day work to ensure tasks are completed in accordance with established growing plans, schedules, and quality standards.

Implements and adjusts growing plans, crop schedules, and production methods to meet seedling quality, quantity, and delivery targets.

Observes production activities and results to identify risks to crop quality or timelines and implement corrective actions within established authority.

Coordinates with the Maintenance Foreperson to ensure facilities, equipment, and climate control systems support production requirements, and communicate production-related system needs.

Contributes to the continuous improvement of nursery growing practices, production efficiency, and quality control processes.

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this opportunity, you must have completed a technician diploma from a recognized agricultural or related institution and 4 years of related experience in greenhouse, nursery, horticultural, agricultural, forestry, or other plant production systems. In addition, you hold:

Strong team player and collaboration skills
Effective decision-making skills related to nursery growing methods, irrigation, fertilization and crop management practices, adjustments to production schedules in response to weather or operational constraints, etc.
Strong organizational skills to develop and manage new projects at the Nursery
Strong attention to detail is critical in this position. Will require strong visual skills for recognizing subtle changes in plant color, texture and appearance
Demonstrated knowledge of greenhouse and nursery crop production practices, including seedling propagation, irrigation management, fertilization programs, integrated pest management, and environmental control systems
Experience coordinating operational work plans and leading staff in a production, agricultural, horticultural, greenhouse, nursery, forestry, or related operational environment
Proven ability to monitor crop performance, identify production issues, and implement corrective actions to maintain quality standards and production schedules.
Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate staff, communicate expectations clearly, and foster a safe and respectful workplace.
Experience maintaining accurate production, inventory, and operational records and preparing reports to support planning and decision-making.
Demonstrated ability to prioritize competing operational demands and respond effectively to changing environmental, weather, and production conditions.
Sound understanding of workplace health and safety requirements and experience promoting safe work practices in an operational setting.
Proficiency with computer applications and digital systems used for operational planning, inventory management, data collection, and reporting.
Ability to work collaboratively with production, maintenance, and management staff to achieve operational objectives.
Commitment to continuous improvement and the application of innovative growing practices, technologies, and production methods

Assets

Knowledge of forest seedling production and quality assessment standards.
Experience operating or managing greenhouse environmental control systems, irrigation systems, fertigation systems, or climate control technologies.
Experience with crop planning, production forecasting, and inventory management.
Experience implementing quality assurance or continuous improvement initiatives in a production environment.
Experience with nursery automation systems, mechanized production equipment, or modern propagation technologies.
Certification or training related to pesticide application, integrated pest management, occupational health and safety, or greenhouse production.
Experience supporting operational change initiatives, process improvement projects, or production system modernization.
Experience supervising unionized employees.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

Normal work week is 35 hours per week.

Work is primarily conducted in greenhouses, nursery buildings, and outdoor environments. Regular exposure to outdoor weather. Higher temperatures while working in the greenhouse and cold frames.

Work activities involve rotating positions of light physical activities, requiring little physical effort and/or easy muscle movements.

The majority of time is spent in a comfortable office setting, with some site visits as required, and frequent opportunity to move about.

What We Offer

Career development and access to ongoing training and professional growth opportunities.
An engaging and supportive workplace where employees feel valued and respected.
A wide range of career paths across the Government of Nova Scotia.

Pay Grade: TE 20

Salary Range: $2,218.10 - $2,601.38 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement: Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

Accommodation Statement: We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at competitions@novascotia.ca.

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.

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